Fire alarm apparatus



June 20, 1961 T. J. COLLUM 2,989,737

FIRE ALARM APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IE" -i 2 n 382 l f A INVENTOR.

THEOflOEE \Z' COLLUM June 20, 1961 T. J. COLLUM 2,989,737

FIRE ALARM APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

rAliaoaefi J (04 4 (/44 lrrale/ve v5 2,989,737 FIRE ALARM APPARATUSTheodore J. Collum, 251 Winter Drive,

Worthington, Ohio Filed Nov. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 853,569 3 Claims. (Cl.340- 227) The present invention relates toa fire alarm apparatus.

Previously proposed have been fire alarm systems employing anelectrically operable alarm which is actuated in response to theapplication of heat to a heat-responsive element or device. Of thecommercially available systems, wired systems are more highly rated byfire protective and insurance associations. While wired systems arewidely used among owners of large properties such as cooperativeapartments, residential hotels, and the like, such systems generally arenot popular with owners of smaller type properties such as single orduplex homes. The owners of small residences are not suflicientlyimpressed with the need to install fire alarm systems at the time ofconstruction of the residence for the reason that such systems areexpensive to install under most circumstances and are even moreexpensive to install after a residence has been completed. Additionally,if the system installed depends upon a residential house current, itsreliability is depreciated.

The fire alarm systems proposed in order to avoid the expense ofinstallation of a fire alarm system, either during construction of theresidence or after construction, or in order to avoid having the alarmsystem depend upon the residential electric current, generally have astheir source of current one or more dry cell batteries. Such batteriesare prone to deteriorate in a relatively short length of time and thenecessity for frequent inspection and replacement of the batteriesentails not only the expense of the labor involved and the expense ofthe replacement of the batteries but also creates a condition ofinsecurity in the mind of the property owner in the event that thesystem is not inspected and the batteries replaced at the properintervals.

Other fire alarm systems which have been proposed employ other meansthan an electric current for their actuation, siuch means including gasunder pressure and the like. Such systems have not been whollysatisfactory for the reason that the alarm signal of such a system maynot be remotely located and is given only at the point where the alarmis activated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fire alarm system orapparatus which is installed with ease and facility in most residences,either during the construction thereof or after construction thereof,using relatively unskilled labor, one employing a power unit having avirtually indefinite shelf life requiring a minimum of inspection, andone which is highly effective in action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fire alarmsystem or apparatus which, through the use of optional equipment, mayhave an alarm which is sounded at a point remote from the apparatus orpoint of confiagration.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will befully apparent from the following description when taken in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the apparatus of the present inventionas viewed from the front and one side;

FIGURE 2 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 22 of FIGURE1, a portion of the wall of the power unit and a portion of the liquidstorage receptacle being broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2;

United States Patent FIGURE 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG-URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the alarm apparatus ofthe present invention in actuating condition; and

FIGURE 6 is an isometric exploded view of the lower end portion of theplunger and associated key element.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings in which like numeralsindicate like parts throughout the several views, the fire alarmapparatus of the present invention comprises an upright housing 10 formounting upon a support such as a vertical wall surface or the like. Thehousing 10 includes a top 12 and a bottom 14 having an openingintermediate the ends thereof closed by a bimetallic disc 16 which issupported in a resilient ring 18.

The housing 10 includes a back wall 17 and a front wall 19 having ascreen panel 20 in the upper end thereof. Side walls 22 and 24 connectthe back wall 17 and the front wall 19 together and extend from thelower end of the housing 10 to the top 12.

Within the housing 10 is a power unit '26 having an open top 28. One endof the power unit 26 rests upon a shelf 30 which projects inwardly fromthe housing side wall 24. The other end of the unit 26 rests upon a flathead 32 on the upper end of a slidable plunger 34. The plunger 34 isslidable through holes provided in a horizontally disposed supportmember 36 which is fixedly secured to the back wall 17 and the frontwall 19, as shown in FIGURE 3.

The shelf 30 and the head 32 on the plunger 34 supports the unit 26 inspaced relation with respect to the disc 16.

The plunger 34 constitutes means mounting the unit 26 within the housing10 for movement relative to the top 12 of the housing 10.

A liquid storage receptacle 38, provided with a closed top 40 and arupturable bottom 42, is superimposed upon the unit 26 so that thebottom 42 is in registry with and closes the open top of the unit 26.The closed top 40 of the receptacle 38 is adjacent to and spaced belowthe top 12 of the housing 10.

A hinge 44 connects one end of the receptacle 38 to the adjacent end ofthe unit 26 for movement of the receptacle 38 with the unit 26.

A vertically disposed force applying element or rod 46 is slidablysupported in the closed top 40 of the receptacle 38 and has its lowerend normally engaging the receptacle bottom 42. The portion of the rod46 adjacent the upper end projects above the closed top 40. A frangibleclosure member 48, fabricated of brittle glass or the like, extends overthe upper end portion of the rod 46 and forms a cap for the opening inthe receptacle 38 preventing evaporation of the liquid stored therein.

The bottom 42 of the receptacle 38 is provided with a score line 50(FIGURE 4) along which the central portion of the bottom 42 breaks whenforce is applied to the element or rod 46, as shown in FIGURE 5, theforce being the result of raising of the adjacent end of the unit 26 andthe attached receptacle 38 to the point where the upper end of the rod46 engages the underside of the top 12 of the housing 10 and isdepressed thereby, forcing the bottom 42 to break along the score line50 and to discharge the contents of the receptacle 38 into the open topof the unit 26.

Releasable latch means is operatively connected to the plunger 34 forholding the unit 26 and the receptacle 38 against movement relative tothe top 12 of the housing 10. This latch means includes opposed linkageelements 51, a head '52 on the lower end of the plunger 34, and a keyelement 54 resting upon the upper face of the disc 16 and slidablewithin the bifurcated lower end portion of the plunger 34.

Spring means is operatively connected to the plunger 34 for urging theunit 26 and the receptacle 38 to move relative to the housing top 12.This spring means consists in a coil spring 56 circumposed about theportion of the plunger 34 above the support member 36 and having one endbearing against the support member 36 and having the other end bearingagainst the bottom of the head 32 on the upper end of the plunger 34.

The linkage elements 51 are normally in the erect and slightlyover-center position as shown in FIGURE 2. Their upper ends arepivotally connected to the under surface of the support member 36 andtheir lower ends are pivotally connected to the upper surface of thesquare head 52 which is fixedly secured on the lower end of the plunger34. The linkage elements 51 are shifted from the over-center position tothe spread-apart position when the key element 54 is forced up into theslot 33 in the head 52 on the plunger 34 and into engagement with theears 53, FIGURE 6, provided on the linkage elements 51. When the linkageelements 51 are shifted to the spread-apart position of FIGURE 5, thecoil spring 56 forces the plunger 34 upwardly, resulting in the shiftingof the unit 26 upwardly, as shown in FIGURE 5.

An electrical actuable alarm '58 is mounted within the housing and isconnected electrically by wires 60 and 62 to the terminals 64 and 66 ofthe unit 26. The unit 26 may be of conventional construction having aplurality of alternatingly disposed anode and cathode plates 68 arrangedin face to face confronting relation and separated from each other byconventional materials. The unit is in a charged condition devoid of theelectrolyte '70 which is stored in the receptacle 38, as shown in FIGURE2.

In operation, upon the application of a heat sufficient to cause thebimetallic disc 16 to snap from the position in which the lower face isconvex to the position in which the lower face is concave, as shown inFIGURE 5, the key element '54 will be pushed upwardly into the endportion of the plunger 34 into engagement with the ears 53 formed on thelinkage elements 51, forcing the linkage elements 51 outwardly out oftheir normal over-center latched position, to thereby release thecompressive forces stored in the spring 56 and effect the upwardmovement of the plunger 34 carrying the unit 26 and the receptacle 38therewith. Upon upward movement of the receptacle 38, the upper endportion of the rod 46 strikes against the housing top 12 and thestriking force is transmitted to the receptacle bottom 42, rupturing thesame and permitting the discharge of the electrolyte 70 from thereceptacle 38 into the unit 26, as shown in FIGURE 5.

Upon discharging of the electrolyte 70 into the unit 26, the plates ofthe unit 26 will be activated and current will flow to the alarm 58 tocause the latter to produce the desired signal.

The side wall of the receptacle 38 may be provided with a window as at72 in FIGURE 3 through which may be observed a hydrometer float 74movable in a tube 76 provided in the interior of the receptacle 38.Inspection of the interior of the receptacle 38 at frequent intervals todetermine the position of the float 74 will inform the person chargedwith the maintenance of the apparatus of the present invention of thespecific gravity of the electrolyte 70 in order to be informed of thenecessity of changing the electrolyte 70 when necessary.

Although the float 74 is shown and described as a part of the invention,it is to be understood that it may be omitted without effecting theefficiency of the apparatus.

The unit 26 may have the atmosphere partially exhausted therefrom inorder to preserve and prevent deterioration of the anode and cathodeplates of the unit 26. Additionally, partial evacuation of the unit 26will expedite the flow of the electrolyte 70 into the unit 26 when thereceptacle bottom 42 is ruptured,

As an illustration of the use which might be made of the presentapparatus in triggering a simple alarm systern, anyone skilled in theart could design a simple radio transmitter which could operate on two,four, or six-volt transistors. The optional device, positioned to therear of the unit or below the unit, could be recessed in the usualplaster wall between upright studding with an antenna of the properlength disposed in the space below. A tuned receiving device, powered bythe residential house current, could be mounted in the attic or atanother point in the house, or outside serving several houses, anddesigned to receive an impulse transmitted by the basic unit and causethe sounding of a simple alarm, an outside alarm, a wired or radiosignal to the fire department, or for other use. This receiving device,being susceptible to malfunction, could have built into it a monitoringdevice which, when the device is working properly, would emit an audiblesignal at a predetermined time each day, In the absence of such signal,the householder would know that the receiving device was not working.This would not, however, interfere with the operation of the basic unitas hereinabove described.

In order that the unit 26 accommodates itself to various voltages, itmay be provided in two or more cells as found practical for the voltageoutput desired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fire alarm apparatus, a housing adapted to be attached to asupport and having a top, and a bottom fabricated of heat responsivematerial, a power unit devoid of electrolyte and having an open toppositioned within said housing and spaced above said bottom, meansmounting said unit in said housing for movement relative to said housingtop, a receptacle provided with a closed top and a rupturable bottom andcontaining a charge of electrolyte superimposed upon said unit so thatthe rupturable bottom closes the open top of said unit with the closedtop adjacent to and spaced below the housing top, means connecting saidreceptacle to said unit for movement with the latter, a verticallydisposed force applying element slidably supported in the closed top ofsaid receptacle and having the lower end normally engaging saidreceptacle bottom and having the portion adjacent the upper endprojecting above the closed top of said receptacle, a releasable latchmeans operatively connected to said housing bottom for holding said unitand receptacle against movement relative to said housing top, and analarm electrically connected to said unit, said latch means beingoperable responsive to the application of heat to said housing bottom tomove said unit relative to said housing top, cause the projecting endportion of said force applying element to strike against the housingtop, transmit the resultant striking force to and rupture the receptaclebottom, and permit the discharge of the electrolyte from said recepacleinto said unit.

2. In a fire alarm apparatus, a housing adapted to be attached to asupport and having a top, and a bottom fabricated of heat responsivematerial, a power unit devoid of electrolyte and having an open toppositioned within said housing and spaced above said bottom, meansmounting said unit in said housing for movement relative to said housingtop, a receptacle provided with a closed top and a rupturable bottom andcontaining a charge of electrolyte superimposed upon said unit so thatthe rupturable bottom closes the open top of said unit with the closedtop adjacent to and spaced below the housing top, means connecting saidreceptacle to said unit for movement with the latter, a verticallydisposed force applying element slidably supported in the closed top ofsaid receptacle and having the lower end normally engaging saidreceptacle bottom and having the portion adjacent the upper endprojecting above the closed top of said receptacle, a releasable latchmeans operatively connected to said housing bottom for holding said unitand receptacle against movement relative to said housing top,

an alarm electrically connected to said unit, said latch means beingoperable responsive to the application of heat to said housing bottom tomove said unit relative to said housing top, cause the projecting endportion of said force applying element to strike against the housingtop, transmit the resultant striking force to and rupture the receptaclebottom, and permit the discharge of the electrolyte from said receptacleinto said battery, and spring means operatively connected to said latchmeans for urging said unit and receptacle to move relative to saidhousing top.

3. In a fire alarm apparatus, a housing adapted to be attached to asupport and having a top, and a bottom fabricated of heat responsivematerial, a power unit devoid of electrolyte and having an open toppositioned within said housing and spaced above said bottom, meansmounting said unit in said housing for movement relative to said housingtop, a receptacle provided with a closed top and a rupturable bottom andcontaining a charge of electrolyte superimposed upon said unit so thatthe rupturable bottom closes the open top of said unit with the closedtop adjacent to and spaced below the housing top, means connecting saidreceptacle to said unit for movement with the latter, a verticallydisposed force applying element slidably supported in the closed top ofsaid receptacle and having the lower end normally engaging saidreceptacle bottom and having the portion adjacent the upper endprojecting above the closed top of said receptacle, a releasable latchmeans operatively connected to said housing bottom for holding said unitand receptacle against movement relative to said housing tap, and analarm electrically connected to said unit, said latch means including avertically movable plunger, spring means operatively connected to saidplunger urging said plunger upwardly, said unit being supported on theupper end of said plunger, a bimetal disc arranged in said housingbottom, latch means normally in engagement with said plunger, said discbeing operable responsive to the application of heat thereto to shiftsaid latch means out of engagement with said plunger, and permit saidplunger to move said unit relative to said housing top, cause theprojecting end portion of said force applying element to strike againstthe housing top, transmit the resultant striking force to and rupturethe receptacle, bottom, and permit the discharge of the electrolyte fromsaid receptacle into said unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,218,847 Firey Mar. 13, 1917 1,699,633 Sears Jan. 22, 1929 2,674,946Hjelm Apr. 13, 1954 2,783,291 Gold Feb. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 790,971Great Britain Feb. 19, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Germany (German printedapplication Yl36 'IVa/21b, Nov. 15, 1956).

